BEST MOMENT THIS YEAR ON A TENNIS COURT                                                        SEPTEMBER  24, 2007
 


Hello again!
I hope you enjoyed Erryn's doodle while I settled back into my routine. I had an amazing trip to Moscow, although I swear unless people get around in the metro, I don't know how they get to work on time.

I sometimes wondered why my team looks more exhausted after a tournament than I do, but boy, do I know now! It is so nerve wrecking watching from that bench. From heat flashes to trying to sit the same way if we are on a winning streak, I learned that it gets pretty exhausting!
I was wearing a ring on one of my fingers (which I now so regret) and after clapping like a maniac on the first day, I got a terrible bruise underneath the ring.....smart thing would be to take it off but we were up 2-0 so that thing was staying on till it was over!

And then since I have the smallest bladder in the world, it was a real challenge sitting in my seat for 2 sets! After the 2nd set, forget it, I was running for my life!

For once I felt like a complete rookie.....from team routines to rituals, it was honestly one of the coolest career experiences. Tennis is such an individual sport and you forget how great it is to be a 'team-mate' for a change. The girls did an amazing job of fighting it out from behind....nothing like a true Russian character! When Sveta asked me to join them for their flag run around, it was the best moment I had this year on a tennis court. All of us represent our country on a daily basis, but representing it in a team environment, in front of a home crowd, is a completely different feeling...pretty difficult to describe with words. Considering that I didn't have any expectations going into the trip, I left with a huge itch to be out there on the court playing and I really can't wait till next year's Fed Cup.

Biggest debacle of the trip was my Nike autograph session. For a start it took us 2 hours to get there because the police men who are manually changing the light switches tend to fall asleep in the booth and don't change the light for 15 minutes!! Then Nike Russia forgot that at an autograph session should have a table with a chair, and a formed line of people...minor details right? Well it happened to be that all the media and the fans were mixed in together around the store, which left me a bit overwhelmed. I had to go back in the car, and after Max and Erryn worked it out, I was back in.

I also had a really good time in N.Y before my trip. The Peter Som and Michael Kors shows were great....always nice to get a sneak peak at my spring/summer wardrobe...can't wait to order some of the pieces! I got to meet both of the designers and go backstage before the shows which is always one big riot.....models and assistants running around trying to find their place before the show begins.

You probably also saw me at the men's final......I know I know......according to When Harry Met Sally, there's no such thing as a guy's and girl's friendship....take my word for it, there's
nothing more to it than a friendship.
I will say it was absolutely amazing being a spectator in that stadium. When you're out there playing you don't realize that all these people around you, are
there to watch you perform.....I was getting chills just thinking
that I got the chance to hold that trophy in front of them.

Oh yes and we went to a karaoke place that night...seems like months ago now! I absolutely love karaoke because I get to pour my Cher heart out and look like a complete fool while at it...good times!

Quote of the week goes to Erryn.....she told me I have more contacts in my phone than Lenscrafters....I agree.

I think I have already pointed out before how crazy the prices are in Russia, but can anyone explain a restaurant that puts pieces of Duoublemint Gum with a $500 lunch bill? That one threw us for a loop!

Currently in the middle of Harry Potter...trying to take my time as
it is the last book.....so sad! For those that like history, Gregory Philips is my new favorite.

And I'm slightly obsessed with Kanye's new Stronger song......The song is 5 minutes long and it takes me about 20 minutes to get to practice....I play it at the start and end of each ride...yep, obsessed!

Flying tomorrow to see my shoulder doctor again for a check up. I just started serving this week so want to make sure he gives me the heads up to continue. After my career I am going to have an automatic degree in pectoral muscles and the Bursa! Just call me doctor Sharapova! Oh and after this week I might as well become a bio-mechanics specialist on the serve....I have seen more videos of serve motions this week than my entire life-time! Whatever it takes!!

Not quite sure yet when I will be ready to start but I will keep you updated!

Maria